Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

On E side of Whitechurch village; rectangular graveyard (c. 80m E-W; c. 70m N-S), in occasional use. Enclosed by stone wall, entrance on N side with 'a noble pair of piers, on which hangs a large high double gate' (Buckley 1910-12). Earliest inscribed headstone dated 1752 (Buckley ibid.). In NW quadrant remains of C of I church; earlier church (CO063-014002-) reported in ruins 1615 and 1694 but rebuilt by 1774 and rebuilt again 1801 (Brady 1863, vol. 2, 405-7). Lewis (1837, vol. 2, 712) describes latter church as 'a spacious structure in the early English style, with a square tower surmounted by a low spire'; the church is shown as T-shaped on 1842 OS 6-inch map. By 1902 marked as 'in ruins' on OS 6-inch map; according to Buckley (ibid.) 'taken down' about 1890. Section of wall survives (15.4m E-W; max. H 0.7m) with return to S (L 6.2m) at E end, possibly remains of church. Site of ancient parish church of Whitechurch.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009